Compare 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 Mazda CX-5
#6 in Mid-Size SUVs
X
2021 Subaru Forester
X
2021 Toyota RAV4
#4 in Hybrid SUVs
X
Get Your Price Get Your Price Get Your Price
Select style
Carbon Edition AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
CX-5 Carbon Edition AWD 24 30 $29,481 $30,355
CX-5 Carbon Edition FWD 25 31 $28,122 $28,955
CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo AWD 22 27 $31,232 $32,160
CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo FWD 23 28 $29,874 $30,760
CX-5 Grand Touring AWD 24 30 $30,718 $31,960
CX-5 Grand Touring FWD 25 31 $29,374 $30,560
CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve AWD 22 27 $34,008 $35,385
CX-5 Signature AWD 22 27 $36,044 $37,505
CX-5 Sport AWD 24 30 $26,270 $26,770
CX-5 Sport FWD 25 31 $24,896 $25,370
CX-5 Touring AWD 24 30 $27,689 $28,510
CX-5 Touring FWD 25 31 $26,331 $27,110
Select style
CVT
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forester CVT 26 33 $23,375 $24,795
Forester Limited CVT 26 33 $29,337 $31,395
Forester Premium CVT 26 33 $26,120 $27,795
Forester Sport CVT 26 33 $27,591 $29,395
Forester Touring CVT 26 33 $32,541 $34,895
Select style
Adventure AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
RAV4 Adventure AWD 25 33 $31,281 $33,455
RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD 41 38 $26,791 $28,500
RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD 41 38 $35,184 $37,430
RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD 41 38 $28,008 $29,795
RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium AWD 41 38 $30,928 $32,900
RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD 41 38 $32,761 $34,850
RAV4 LE AWD 27 34 $25,947 $27,750
RAV4 LE FWD 27 35 $24,638 $26,350
RAV4 Limited AWD 25 33 $33,922 $36,280
RAV4 Limited FWD 27 35 $32,613 $34,880
RAV4 TRD Off Road AWD 25 32 $33,736 $36,080
RAV4 XLE AWD 27 33 $27,157 $29,045
RAV4 XLE FWD 28 35 $25,848 $27,645
RAV4 XLE Premium AWD 27 33 $29,687 $31,750
RAV4 XLE Premium FWD 28 35 $28,378 $30,350
RAV4 Prime SE N/A N/A $36,050 $38,350
RAV4 Prime XSE N/A N/A $39,175 $41,675
Pricing
Invoice Price
$29,481
$23,375
$31,281
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$30,355
$24,795
$33,455
Monthly Payment Estimate
$506 / month
$413 / month
$558 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
6.7
6.8
6.5
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 crossover has some priorities out of order; it doles out fine handling while it delivers a skimpy back seat. A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
24 mpg 26 mpg 25 mpg
Highway
30 mpg 33 mpg 33 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Small SUV 4WD Small SUV 4WD Small SUV 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
55.3 53.6 47.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
103.6 111.9 98.9
Front Shoulder Room (in)
57.1 58.2 57.8
Second Head Room (in)
39 39.6 39.5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
54.8 57.2 56.4
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Leg Room (in)
41 43.3 41
Front Hip Room (in)
55.2 54.1 54.3
Second Leg Room (in)
39.6 39.4 37.8
Front Head Room (in)
39.3 41.2 39.5
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
62.8 61.6 62.6
Liftover Height (in)
32.4 28.4 -
Min Ground Clearance (in)
7.5 8.7 8.6
Length, Overall (in)
179.1 182.1 181.5
Height, Overall (in)
65.3 67.5 68.6
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.8 61.8 63.3
Wheelbase (in)
106.2 105.1 105.9
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72.5 71.5 73.4
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
30.9 31.1 37.6
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
41.3 43.3 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
30.9 31.1 37.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
57 51.2 -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
32.4 34.8 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
59.6 74.3 69.8
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
38 35.7 -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
- 70.3 -
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.9 11.2 11.1
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.7 11.6 12
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
15.3 16.6 14.5
Steering
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36 35.4 37.4
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Tires
Front Tire Size
P225/55VR19 P225/60HR17 P235/55HR19
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/55VR19 P225/60HR17 P235/55HR19
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 1500 3500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 1500 3500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
2000 1500 3500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 150 350
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 150 350
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3691 3449 3655
Wheels
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
19 X 7 17 X 7 19 X 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
19 X 7 17 X 7 19 X 7.5
Electrical
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
100 - -
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- - 550
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
186 @ 4000 176 @ 4400 184 @ 5000
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.5 L/152 2.5 L/152 2.5 L/152
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
187 @ 6000 182 @ 5800 203 @ 6600
Engine Type
Regular Unleaded I-4 Regular Unleaded H-4 Regular Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection Port/Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 29 28
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
30 33 33
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
24 26 25
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
4.62 3.70 3.18
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.45 - 1.95
Trans Type
6 7 8
Drivetrain
All Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.71 - 1.22
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.89 3.69 4.01
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.02 - 3.03
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 - 1.46
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD CVT w/OD Automatic w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.60 - 1.00
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.55 3.60 - 0.75 5.25
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.56 0.81
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
- - 0.67
Summary
Vehicle Name
Mazda CX-5 Subaru Forester Toyota RAV4
Body Style
i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility Sport Utility Sport Utility
Suspension
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.8 6.1 6.3
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2021 Mazda CX-5
  • 2021 CX-5 supplies holding up
  • Lease: From $252/mo
  • Rebates: $750 loyalty bonus available
  • Financing: From 0% APR
Get Your Price
2021 Subaru Forester
  • 2021 Forester selection holding up; 2022s coming soon
  • Lease: From $229/mo
  • Rebates: No factory rebate; dealer discounting possible
  • Finance: From 0.9% APR
Get Your Price
2021 Toyota RAV4
  • 2021 RAV4 is here
  • Lease: From $325/mo. (est.)
  • Finance: From 2.49% + $750
  • Rebate: Up to $500 cash
Get Your Price

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